The St Raphael's community along with others from Brent, including councillors, attended a vigil last night for the vicitims of the fire that has devasted the whole community.
With dignity and empathy, tribute was paid and prayers made. The community quietly drew together in solidarity in the face of tragedy, as the evening light gave way to darkness and the rain fell.
I was unable to attend due to a zoom meeting at the same time, so thank you Asif for the photographs of an event that really shows Brent at its best.
The St Raphael's community in happier times celebrating the Queen's Jubilee
Guest post by Asif Zamir, St Raphs Legacy Project, St Raphael's Voice
The air on St. Raphael's Estate today hangs heavy with an unbearable sorrow. News travels fast in a close-knit community, but some news hits harder than others. Yesterday's devastating fire in St Raphs Estate which sits on the edge of the Stonebridge Ward close to Wembley, claimed the lives of a mother and her three beloved children, and has sent deep shockwaves of grief directly through the heart of St. Raphs.
"There are no words to ease such profound pain, but please know the community mourns with you", echoed the sentiments felt by countless residents. This isn't just a distant tragedy; it's a loss that strikes at the very core of who we are. Today, the St. Raphael's community lost a sister and three innocent children. The raw emotion, the disbelief, the sheer agony of it all is palpable on every street corner and every doorstep.
Residents are struggling to come to terms with the unthinkable. Conversations are hushed, faces are drawn, and tears flow freely. Many recall the happy memories of seeing the family around the estate, at the mosque and community centre their presence a familiar and cherished part of daily life. Now, that presence is gone, leaving an unfillable void. The laughter of children, the everyday greetings, the shared moments – all tragically cut short.
And the devastation doesn't end there. Our hearts also go out to the next-door neighbours, a family who also lost their home in this horrific blaze. Beyond the profound grief for those who perished, there is the added burden of displacement, of seeing one's sanctuary reduced to ashes. The emotional toll of such a loss, coupled with the immediate uncertainty of where to go and how to rebuild, is immense. The St. Raphael's community extends its deepest sympathy and unwavering support to all those now facing the daunting task of finding new shelter and piecing their lives back together.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family, whose world has been irrevocably shattered.
As a community, we stand together in this moment of profound sorrow. While we can't mend broken hearts, we can offer unwavering support, a listening ear, and a collective embrace. The devastation is immense, but the strength of the St. Raphael's community, in its shared grief and unwavering compassion, will undoubtedly shine through as we navigate these dark days together.
NEU members at The
Village School, Brent- part of the Compass Learning Partnership academy trust- walk
out tomorrow, angry that they have lost pay protections for pregnant and
disabled staff among others
Teachers and support staff at the
school have reached out to the Trustees to try to resolve and issue that began
last year when a school policy was changed without consultation and resulted in
pay cuts for staff needing hospital appointments, ante-natal appointments and
carers’ leave. Trustees have acted against their own processes by not negotiating
with unions and staff have been left out of pocket.
Over 100 members of the NEU will
be on strike tomorrow and the school will be closed to all pupils. Pupils at
the school have a range of complex needs, disabilities and autism.
Jenny Cooper of the NEU national
executive, who also teachers at the school, has stated:
We have reached out to the trust
multiple times to try to resolve this issue- the last thing we wanted was to
strike- but they are not engaging with us. The Trust has four executives on
salaries over £100000 but refuse to pay our frontline staff when they need to
attend vital appointments. The school cannot operate without us; they will need
to negotiate sooner or later
Wembley Matters has reported on the history of the Welsh Harp AKA Brent Reservoir in a series of illustrated articles by local historian Philip Grant. See LINK
Now there is a chance for local people to attend an event that reflects that history. Attendance is limited so it is important to book in advance. LINK
This striking new sculpture, created using historic pulley wheels from the
original dam, offers a powerful tribute to the reservoir's industrial past and
its continuing importance in our community.
Please arrive between 2:30- 3 pm for a prompt 3 pm start.
The event includes:
🔹
A chance to meet and hear from the artist behind the sculpture
🔹
Light refreshments and a moment to connect with fellow local history and art enthusiasts
Whether you're a history buff, art lover, or just curious, this will be a
memorable and meaningful afternoon by the reservoir.
With concern over HMOs (Homes of Multiple Occupation) mounting in the borough (not least in the Randall Avenue Planning Application coming up at Planning Committee this week) it is appropriate that Brent Council is consulting on the private rented sector. The expansion of the sector and unavailability of council homes means that that almost half of homes in Brent are now privately rented.
In today's announcement Brent Council says:
Brent residents are
being asked to have their say on plans to improve living conditions in private
rented homes.
An online survey,
starting today, invites tenants, landlords, and anyone affected to give their
views on Brent Council’s proposals to improve living standards for Houses in
Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
These new plans are
an extension of a previous programme that ran for five years and ended in
January, which helped improve the quality of private rented homes in the
borough. During that time, more than 2,500 HMOs were licensed.
HMO licensing makes
sure that houses are safe, well-managed, and provide basic facilities for
tenants. Council officers inspect licensed properties to ensure they meet the
required standards.
A mandatory licence
is needed for HMOs with five or more people from two or more households.
Additional licensing covers other types of HMOs, typically the smaller with
three or more people from two or more different households, like those living
in bedsits.
Councillor Fleur
Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Residents' Services, said:
Over the past 20 years, the number of privately rented homes in Brent has
grown, and now makes up almost half of all homes in the borough. We want to
make sure these homes are safe and good quality for tenants.
While we have seen
significant improvements, we believe that another additional HMO licensing
scheme is necessary to maintain and improve the management of HMOs in Brent. We
want to encourage residents to give their opinions on these new proposals for HMOs.
The HMO additional
licensing consultation, launched today (10 March 2025) will run for eleven
weeks, ending on 26 May 2025. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.
There is detailed documentation available on line but this sums up the background issues:
We believe
that a further additional HMO
licensing scheme is necessary to maintain and improve the management of HMOs in
the borough. HMOs pose a higher risk to occupants, especially when poorly managed.
The previous additional HMO licensing scheme has helped us improve standards
and management practices of many HMOs across the borough. However, the
evidence shows that there is a significant number of properties that are still substandard
and potentially dangerous. Even landlords with good intentions may not always be
aware of the latest legal and safety requirements. These HMOs pose a risk to the
health, safety, and wellbeing of tenants, cause problems for neighbours, and demand
substantial intervention from council enforcement services. It is important that the
council uses all available tools to improve conditions for tenants in this sector.
Licensing is one of the tools and plays a key role in this effort.
In these dark day a message of hope from an international young choir celebrating a man of peace who spent some of his early days with us here in Brent.
Mural on the shutters of a hairdresser shop in Neasden, close to where Bob Marley and the Wailers lived in 1972. (Credit: Philip Grant)
Teachers from fourteen Brent
schools have completed carbon literacy training, empowering them to lead
the charge on climate action in their classrooms and beyond.
Funded
by Brent Council as part of its climate action programme, schools
including Anson Primary, Fryent Primary, and Gladstone Park Primary* now
have teaching staff armed with the knowledge and tools to drive
positive change within their schools.
These
environmentally savvy educators are well equipped to teach climate
change as part of the curriculum, using practical resources provided as
part of the training to share vital knowledge with their students. They
are ready to plant the seeds of change by leading eco-friendly practices
across school operations, as well as training and empowering a wider
network of teachers at their school.
This
cohort of trained teachers said the course boosted their confidence
around starting conversations with children, parents and colleagues,
allowing them to approach climate action discussions in a more inclusive
and constructive way. One said, “I now have greater confidence in
discussing climate change, connecting young people with green spaces,
and feeling empowered to make a difference.”
Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power, said:
It’s
fantastic to see our local teachers leading the way in climate action.
By empowering educators, we are building a sustainable future for Brent
and inspiring the next generation to care for our planet.
This
training is part of Brent Council’s commitment to sustainability and
its goal to support schools on their path to sustainability and
environmental stewardship. 20 Brent primary schools have recently signed
up to the pioneering Our Schools, Our World programme,
demonstrating their commitment to integrate sustainability as a whole
school approach and lead the way for schools across the country.
*Full
list of schools that received teacher training: Anson Primary, Fryent
Primary, Gladstone Park Primary, Harlesden Primary, Kingsbury High,
Mount Stewart, Roe Green Juniors, Salusbury Primary, St Claudine's
Catholic School for Girls, St Gregory’s Catholic Science College, St
Mary’s CofE Primary, St Robert Southwell Primary, Sinai Jewish Primary
and Sudbury Primary.
The
bravery of two police officers, along with members of the public, has been
lauded after they entered a burning building in Willesden High Road to rescue occupants who were inside.
The incident unfolded at around 13:10hrs on Friday, 13 December after emergency
services were called to reports of a fire in a three-storey building on High Road
, NW10.
Officers were quickly on scene and immediately recognised the dangerous
situation unfolding in front of them with smoke billowing from windows and
reports of people still inside a flat on the first floor.
Two officers, along with members of the public, entered the building and made
their way up to the first floor. They directed residents out of the building
but were alerted to a man who was trapped in an upstairs flat. Utilising a
ladder located in a courtyard area at the back of the building, a member of the
public managed to break a window and help the man escape.
Thankfully no-one was seriously injured although three residents and one of the
officers, who is aged in his 20s, were taken to hospital for treatment due to
the effects of smoke inhalation. One officer remains in hospital and all are
expected to make a full recovery.
The officers are being supported following the ordeal.
Commander Paul Trevers said:
The actions of these officers exemplifies
the qualities that runs through the core of our officers in the Met police –
bravery, tenacity and above all a desire to keep the public safe when faced
with danger.
Confronted with a terrifying situation and knowing that people were at risk
they did not hesitate in going into that building to protect the lives of
others. I am immensely proud of their actions as I’m sure all Londoners will
be.
I would also like to praise the courage of the members of the public who,
alongside our officers, helped ensure the safety of those inside the building.
Credit: London Fire Brigade
From London Fire Brigade
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with
flats above on Willesden High Road.
Part of the ground floor and a small part of the ceiling void between the
ground and first floors were alight. Firefighters rescued two people from a
roof using a short extension ladder. Five further people left the property
before the Brigade arrived and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance
Service crews.
The Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladder was used at the scene as an
observation platform.
Station Commander Chucks Abili, who was at the scene, said:
Crews
worked hard to access the voids and bring the fire under control.
The fire was producing heavy smoke, so we advised local residents keep
their windows and doors closed.
Willesden High Road was closed between Bertie Road and Hawthorn Road
and we encouraged people to avoid the
area during the afternoon, particularly as rush hour approached.
The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of eight calls to the fire at
1308 and mobilised crews from West Hampstead, Park Royal, North Kensington,
Kentish Town and Wembley fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control
by 1521.
Marketing video for purpose built student accommodation in Wembley Park
There has recently been discussion about the amount of purpose built student accommodation in Brent, with some disquiet even in the Brent Planning Committee. (See LINK) Rather than reflecting an anti-student prejudice it is often about the loss of sites that could otherwise be used for family housing and questions about balancing local communities.
Brent planners have insisted that the need for student accommodation both in Brent and London as whole has been established and contributes to housing targets,
The London Mayor has recently published London Plans guidance for London local planning authorities which reviews some of the issues. The full document can be found HERE and key extracts follow (my highlighting):
The Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)
London Plan Guidance (LPG) provides advice on how to apply London Plan Policy
H15 to best meet London’s needs. This guidance applies to a specialist form of
housing designed and managed for students. This typically comprises a mixture
of flats for 6-8 students with shared living spaces, and larger studio flats,
plus additional communal social spaces and other facilities.
As well as providing students with a place to live, PBSA can play an
important role in alleviating pressures on the wider private rental sector.
Indirectly its provision also helps underpin London’s higher education sector
as a global player, and the wider knowledge economy of the city.
The LPG sets
out detailed advice on siting, designing and developing such housing, including
balancing it with other housing types. It aims to ensure that these
developments are designed and managed to be of good quality, safe and inclusive
and integrated into their neighbourhood. The guidance is aimed at those
designing PBSA schemes and decision-makers assessing them as part of the
planning application process.
London’s
universities are disproportionately concentrated in a few areas,including within the CAZ (Central Activity Zone) .
PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) has clustered in similar areas,
particularly ininner
London. This has diversified the student accommodation offer from thetraditional, university-built PBSA, and private
rented homes. Several boroughswhere this
is the case have sought to limit further growth in such (purpose built)student accommodation, as well as in some cases,
HMOs Homes of Multiple Occupation). This reflects their concerns about housing
mix in their neighbourhoods and the potential ‘crowding out’ of conventional
housing, given other types of housing need amongst their population. However,
in turn, other boroughs (including within outer London, some distance from
where London’s universities are concentrated) have since seen a particularly
high influx of PBSA schemes, giving rise to similar concerns.
PBSA in
relation to neighbourhood housing mix can be considered in two ways:
• In support
of PBSA proposals that help disperse from traditional concentrations to
alternative, suitable locations – perhaps adding an element of student housing
to existing residential stock that is primarily conventional housing. This may
be particularly relevant where there is a shortage of family homes, which
students are currently occupying as HMOs or which they could be in future, in
light of PBSA shortages.
• As a more negative
consideration, where there are long-standing or more recent concentrations of
PBSA, or similar, non-self-contained accommodation, relative to conventional
housing. This may be spatial (in particular neighbourhoods) or as a proportion
of housing delivery, where PBSA may be considered to be ‘crowding out’
conventional housing schemes. Such dominance may be particularly acute under
certain market conditions; and where development sites are limited (which would
ordinarily be equally attractive for conventional residential use).
PBSA should
form part of a wider positive strategy in delivering mixed andinclusive neighbourhoods in most Local Plans. It should be acknowledged thatwhat is considered an appropriate balance of PBSA
and conventional housingwill differ
across London, and within boroughs. Local Plans should identify ifand where spatial concentration of PBSA, or
proliferation of PBSA deliverycompared to
conventional housing delivery, is impacting the ability to ensuremixed and inclusive neighbourhoods. They should
also identify more positiveopportunities
for PBSA to help contribute to local and strategic objectives.
Thiscould be used to develop spatial policies; or to
indicate the significance ofneighbourhood
or pipeline housing mix in decision-making.
Lime bikes outside St Andrew's Church, Church Lane, Kingsbury
From Brent Council
Lime has agreed to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in the creation of hundreds of bike parking bays across Brent, as part of a comprehensive plan to tackle residents’ safety concerns.
The bike hire company was in the limelight after Brent warned that the dockless e-bikes would need to be removed from the borough if a number of concerns were not addressed by 31 October.
A plan to improve the way the bike rental service operates in Brent has now been negotiated following a series of constructive meetings, with a new operating model to begin immediately.
Lime Bike parking bay (not in Brent)
Under the new plan, which was launched today Lime will:
Introduce and fund the creation of 200 new parking bays, in priority areas. These designated parking bays will be implemented and enforced in phases. All locations will be added before July 1 2025.
Immediately reduce the size of its fleet in Brent by a third - from 750 to 500 bikes - while these other improvements are made, and consult closely with the council before increasing bike numbers again.
Introduce zoning changes that prevent the parking of bikes in areas where parking has frequently been poor.
Introduce automatic ‘slow zone’ speed controls in busy hotspots such as around Wembley Stadium and Wembley High Road, as well as a dedicated events plan for the stadium with the council.
Increase the number of Lime cyclist patrollers and parking wardens on-the-ground in Brent by 78%, ensuring that any issues reported can be dealt with quickly.
Remove inappropriately parked bikes within 2 hours of being reported via a newly created email.
Reinvest the fines from poor parking back into the local community through the council’s Together Towards Zero grant scheme.
Launch a new resident cycling forum to meet on a quarterly basis and provide a cycle training session each month for Brent residents.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, said:
Since raising our concerns with Lime earlier this year, we've spent considerable time at the table with them, communicating residents' issues, outlining our expectations, and closely reviewing their proposals.
We’ve squeezed a number of really important improvements out of Lime, and it is welcome that they have listened to residents’ feedback and are taking immediate steps to change.
This council supports active travel, but safety is non-negotiable. We hope that we have turned a corner with Lime and expect residents to see real, noticeable improvements from now on. We will hold Lime to these new commitments to ensure they are honoured.
Hal Stevenson, Director of Policy at Lime, UK, said:
We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Brent Council to continue offering our service to the tens of thousands of residents that rely on us daily across the borough.
Over the past two months, we’ve collaborated closely with the Council to establish an action plan that will deliver immediate, on-street improvements, while also funding the creation of a new network of mandatory parking locations by July 1.
Our significant investment in this network demonstrates our commitment to working alongside Brent to provide long-term solutions that address community concerns, while continuing to support their efforts to ensure more journeys in the Borough are taken by bike.
We are listening to our Council partners and taking action to manage the record demand for our e-bikes responsibly.
Residents should report badly parked bikes to Lime directly on their website or through their App or alternatively through a new emailBrent@li.meor by calling 0800 808 5223.
